Apart-hotel plan rejected for Scruffy Murphy's site

Plans to build a large apart-hotel on the site of a once-iconic city pub have been blocked by An Bord Pleanala (ABP).

An application had been made to demolish legendary Dublin watering hole Scruffy Murphy's at Grand Canal Dock and build a six-storey apart-hotel.

The complex, which would have included 36 suites, along with a restaurant, bar and cafe, was turned down for a number of reasons, one being the negative effect on local residents.

ABP recognised that while there would have been a large concentration of people before the pub closed in 2016, the planned development would "lead to an intensification of activity in this predominantly residential area".

Viability

The decision comes after Dublin City Council had given the plan the go-ahead and an inspector within ABP also advised that the development be given the green light, subject to a number of conditions.

The inspector had initially said the number of floors in the development would have to be reduced.

This was appealed by the applicant, Tim O'Connor, who said it would decrease the number of suites by eight and would therefore be a concern for the project's commercial viability.

An appeal had been made by a third party, which highlighted the impact that such a development would have on local residential properties.

Among a list of issues, the appeal said it will "not benefit from a close relationship with the immediate community as it is commercial in nature for very short-stay tourists".